The Tint

From the bottom up, a different mindset with killifishes...

I have always been fascinated by killifish. 

Their unique colors, shapes, habits, adaptability, and relative ease of breeding for many species has kept them "top of mind" for me over the years, even though I may not always have kept them consistently.

Their relative difficulty to obtain has sort of added to the mystique for me. That and the fact that they typically will not have common names, and are generally referred to by their scientific name, followed by a geographic locale and some other numbers makes them all the more alluring to me!

(Chromaphyosemion bivittatum, pic by Mike PA Calnun)

And of course, one of the things I like best about killifishes is that many come from habitats that would be perfect for us to replicate with our skills and interest.

Perhaps what also attracts me to them is the fact that they are (for the most part) small, super-colorful fishes who have managed to adapt and evolve to life in very unusual environmental niches, like puddles, small creeks, temporary pools- stuff like that. And of course, these are extremely "botanically-influenced" habitats, replete with leaves, soil/mud substrates, branches, etc.

 

(Kwango Province, Congo- Image by Thomas Minesi)

Interestingly, we have seldom, if ever seen them being kept in anything other than a dedicated breeding setup with spawning mops and bare bottoms, which I think has perpetuated the popular perception that they require "specialty conditions" and tanks. That being said, attempting to replicate, to some extent, the aquatic habitats from which they come would go a long way towards making these adaptable and attractive fishes more popular in the hobby.

(Fp. amieti, pic by Mike PA Calnun)

Sure, some may be shy, skittish, aggressive, come from soft, acidic water, brackish(!), or whatever- but the last time I checked, we have this...global community of skilled, adventurous aquarium hobbyists playing with blackwater, botanicals, and the availability of all sorts of "twigs and nuts" to create these kinds of specialty tanks. (That's YOU!)

We can keep these fishes with ease, so...

We often hear the argument that they are not particularly prolific breeders, or don't live too long (in the case of "annual" species, sure...but how many years have you kept a Cardinal Tetra alive for?). I think that's a sort of lame excuse not to keep them!

(Fp. gardneri in a natural setup. Image by Mike PA Calnun)

Curiously, we're seeing more and more wild Betta species showing up in local fish stores worldwide...SOMEONE is breeding them. And they are finding a place in botanical-style, blackwater aquariums!

Yep. Killies can, too.

And if we look at some of the more popular killifishes, such as the Aphyosemion, Chromaphyosemion, and Funduloopanchax species, there are a variety of ecological adaptations to their environments that have made them extremely compelling subjects for those of us interested in creating natural-type setup for them. 

(Mike PA Calnun's African killie and Neolebias biotope-inspired aquarium is a fantastic example of the possibilities that await the adventurous killie enthusiast when we step out of the box a bit!)

Granted, this is different than what hardcore killie breeders will do- and not as efficient for breeding as setting them up in bare tanks with spawning mops- but it's a different way to enjoy these unique fishes, and to celebrate the unique ecological niches from which they come!

Now, there are hundreds of species to choose from, running the gamut from top-spawning species which deposit eggs in floating plants, to the famous South American and African annuals, which deposit their eggs in the mud and sediments at the bottom of the temporary pools which they inhabit, so it would be impossible to "generalize" a biotope-inspired "generic" setup for all these types. However, one could create a more-or-less "generalized" setup for say, species which come from small African streams and pools. 

(Aphyosemion over leaf litter Wamba, DR Congo- image by Ashley Gordon)

For many of the Aphyosemion and Fundulopanchax species, you can replicate their leaf-and branch-choked habitats with, well- leaves and branches! And seed pods, and a few aquatic and even terestrial plants. Researching the flora and aquatic topography of areas in Camaroon and Nigeria can yield lots of great information which you can use to create some really cool tanks! In general, Africa has been, in my opinion, under-represented in our aquariums, and killies represent an amazing opportunity to learn more about these habitats and the unique fishes which inhabit them.

(Fp. gardneri Pic by Mike PA Calnun)

Many of these streams and pools feature muddy or fine-sediment materials on the substrate. You could replicate this with many of the planted aquarium substrates, mixed in with more common materials like sand and even our "Fundo Tropical" and "Susbtrato Fino" additives.

With some good research and study, it is entirely possible to create remarkably realistic and functionally aesthetic aquariums for many species of killifish. And the concept is simply no different than anything else we do for any other fishes in our blackwater/botanical-style aquariums. 

(The topography and flora of Camaroon contribute significantly to the aquatic habitats of the region. Image by C. Hence, used under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Obviously, a little blog piece like this can do little more than call some quick attention to the possibilities that are out there for this approach. My hope is that more of you will utilize the skills you've acquired at both keeping and breeding fishes and working with botanical-style aquariums. By marrying these two skill sets, the possibilities which can unfold are many!

We just need to get out there, do a little research, and get a tank or two going. Oh- and we need to share this work. On the "big stage"- outside of dedicated killie forums and pages. 

Let's look at some of these unique fishes and the habitats from which they come, and give them more of the attention they deserve in the hobby!

Stay excited. Stay inspired. Stay curious. Stay creative. Stay engaged...

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

 

Tradecraft

This is a call- an appeal- to the greatest aquascapers in the world:

First, a bit of personal experience...

Imagine, if you will, managing your aquarium without having at least some expectations about what will happen as it establishes itself and evolves. You can't, really, right? As aquarists, we learn to "expect the unexpected"- but we also have a very predictable set of expectations, based on decades of experiences from this who came before us.

I have always liked the idea of building a little ecosystem/microcosm from the ground up. I found this appealing as a kid with my first aquarium, and to this day, it guides my aquarium builds- reef, fresh, brackish, whatever. The idea that, even in a little glass/acrylic box of water, we're building a small ecosystem.

This conceptual framework has guided virtually every aspect of my aquarium work; my "tradecraft", if you will.

As it has many of yours.

And taking it further, I suggest that we apply this mindset to our aquascaping.

Every piece of wood, substrate material, leaf, or botanical is a part of a functioning biological system, and although we might more easily appreciate the appearance of the tank, the function of the items within it- and indeed, the overall system- is vitally important. The best-looking aquarium that is not biologically "friendly" will never achieve good results, right?

And yes, the aesthetic and design component is important too..Don't get me wrong. But it's amazing how the aesthetic just sort of "comes together" when you think about the function of the ecosystem you're creating in your aquarium. So much has been written about finding the perfect piece of wood, rock, plant, etc., and so much attention has been paid to the "art" component of the equation by world class-aquascapers attempting to "replicate nature" in some sort of...formula.

And that's okay, but I often wish the same incredible talent and energy could be applied to creating more "holistic" aquariums. Imagine the long-term functional results! 

I can't help but wonder if even more incredible, yet more functional aquascapes/aquatic habitats could be created by looking more closely at nature, and the way life colonizes physical structures- indeed- creates them (as in reefs, for example) and attempting to develop an aquascape from the ground up.

Yes, literally building up an aquascape, starting with substrate designed to foster beneficial microfauna and serve as a microhabitat for them, and to create niche habitats for fishes as well. To some extent, planted aquarists do this already with substrate additives designed for aquatic plants, adding layers of specific nutrient-laden materials. I love that idea, and I think it should be carried further taking its account the needs of small crustaceans, worms, and fauna..a sort of different type of "active substrate!" 

The implications for aquascapers is the ability to create a more realistic representation of nature as it is, and to understand how life arises around the physical structures and accumulations of materials. To a certain extent, an approach like this allows the aquarium to sort of dictate  how the aquascape will look and evolve.

Just like in nature.

You could take it further and manipulate water flow patterns and such to allow botanical materials to accumulate in certain areas, or allow stands of certain types of plants to grow in specific locations within the aquarium. Understanding (or at least, observing) how physical barriers, like wood and rocks are oriented by water currents, local geology, and even weather, and also impact the movement of water in a given area, could help you create some interesting scapes.

Rather than relying on inspiration from someone else's work for why they oriented their driftwood a certain way, you could embrace a certain degree of "rebelliousness", and let the flow of your water dictate placement and orientation of the wood and rocks..and even the distribution/depth/composition of the substrate! Of course, you can just look at any natural body of water, such as a stream or creek, and see exactly how nature does a "layout"- and be assured of something that will work!

I mean, many already do...but based on the number of Fantasy Forest diorama 'scapes in contests, I'd say that more than a few 'scapers are spending too much time in "Middle Earth."

Yep.

Lately, it's been all the rage among competitive 'scapers to "break the waterline" with wood. And it's cool. I like it.  It has a neat look. Yet, I have to admit, albeit a bit sheepishly- that after seeing several hundred pics of tanks with driftwood heading out of the water (and having done some myself), I can't help but think it's become too much of a "formula":  "Assemble group of rare aquascaping rocks, insert manzanita branches in vertical orientation with respect to 'Golden Ratio' and break water line. Done."

Yawn.

What about approaching this from the standpoint of how and why this would happen in Nature?

I mean, ask yourself under what circumstances would a piece of wood break the waterline? If you study streams and other bodies of water, the reasons are relatively few, but fairly apparent. Likely, one of a few scenarios: 1) A big branch falls into shallow water, with part of it sticking up out of the water.  2) A fallen branch, limb, trunk, or entire tree is covered by water when seasonal inundation submerges the forest floor 3) A tree or shrub growing along an actively-flowing river or stream becomes partially submerged by a large seasonal influx of rain or tidal increase.

It's the same for rocks, and the distribution of substrate materials, botanicals, and leaves. If we ask ourselves how and why these materials accumulate the way they do in nature, the answers create many interesting and inspiring situations for aquascaping.  Making the study of natural structures in aquatic habitats part of our inspiration "lookbook" and incorporating them into our "tradecraft" has, IMHO, always yielded more interesting, long term functional aquariums.

Now look, I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade and state that every tank with wood sticking out sucks- I can see the hate email coming already from certain corners. I suppose to some, it seems like every time I approach this subject, it becomes a critique on the art of aquascaping.  I suppose that, to some extent, it is, because even the so-called "aquascaping elite" needs a little kick in the ass now and again. I hear from many in the "natural camp" that we're a part of, who tell me about getting soundly thrashed by "serious" (LOL) aquascapers, and I get a bit pertrubed, I guess. A very unkind attack leveled recently at a member of our community inspired this little rant today.

I mean, have your fun the way you want, but don't knock the work of those who are pursing a different path (see yesterday's blog). We all love aquariums, right?

I'm just saying that, in addition to these purely artistic interpretations, (which are beautiful for the most part-I'll give you that) even more amazing, more functionally aesthetic and realistic aquariums can be created by simply looking at what caused these scenes to form in nature, and assembling the components based upon that.

Pretty much every time I've seen a world-class aquascaper try to take the approach of replicating something from an aquatic environment in nature (as opposed to looking at a mountain or some non-aquatic part of the landscape, or even last year's big contest winner, or whatever) and utilize it as the inspiration for his/her 'scape- the result has been astounding. 

So the talent is there. And it's really cool when the attitude isn't. 😆

We as a hobby have to get out of the "comfort zone" of creating perfectly artistic interpretations of stylized natural settings. Most so-called "natural" aquascapes are to real aquatic habitats what "concept cars" are to your family sedan: Hot-looking, idealized representations, with some features from nature- but not really accurate portrayals of nature as it is.

Again: I LOVE these types of tanks. I admire them and my friends with the talent who create them.

Yet, we can't forget: Nature is a random, "dirty", and often chaotic place. Stuff happens in nature for a reason. And that makes it every bit as compelling as a highly stylized, conceptual 'scape, IMHO.

And there is actually a more important reason to portray nature as it really appears: Because that's the environment/habitat in which  our fishes have evolved. And with more and more of these incalculably priceless natural habitats disappearing every year because of man's impact on the environment- now more than ever it's important to create some more realistic replications of these habitats. It will help us understand them, appreciate them, and preserve them. And, as has been proven throughout history, mankind protects what he/she admires.

In my opinion, last years world champion "fantasy forest" aquascape- beautiful as it may be- might inspire a few people- but it will never have the impact- and lasting educational value- of an aquarium which attempts to replicate the form and function of a truly natural setting.

Meet nature where it is. Accept it, and be inspired by it. Execute an aquarium now and again that follows Nature's formula. That should be part of your "tradecraft."

All of you great ones out there: Please- keep doing what you're doing- pushing and inspiring the world...but please keep an open mind, a kind heart, and push in a few different directions now and then. 

You might just change the world.

Stay bold. Stay active. Stay humble. Stay empathetic. Stay curious. Stay inspirational...

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

 

 

 

Is it really "messy?" Or just part of the aesthetic? And isn't that the real beauty? Our evolving "manifesto."

It's fun to see a lot of new faces getting into the botanical-style blackwater/brackish aquarium game. And with all of the new people come new ideas; new experiences. It's beautiful. It's different, perhaps weird to some...

We dream in water.

A lot of people ask me how I got into this particular  genre..What makes it so attractive to me- and to our community? I mean, to many hobbyists, what we do- what we admire about nature and our tanks- is viewed as, well- "messy" by many.

I can appreciate that.

However, when I look at nature, it all makes sense, doesn't it?

She doesn't play by our rules and expectations.

I think that's why we're here.

I realize that many of you are interested in some of the same stuff that I am- or at lest, curious about it...and you've found that Tannin is a sort of "home" for your interest. We've developed a little "tribe", if you will, of original thinkers, tinkerers, and innovators, willing to experiment with stuff that might not be everyone's "cup of tea."

We're a tribe of everyday aquarists with big ideas and a love for all things aquatic. And a healthy population of rebels, misfits, and "troublemakers", who won't accept the "status quo" as the only way.

Our "family." Our "tribe." 

We love the idea of decaying leaves, botanicals, wood. We love the influence that these materials have over the aquatic environment. It's earthy, organic, and natual. 

Natural.

As in what nature looks like. Functions like...

It does sound a bit strange, I admit, musing and waxing poetic about this stuff. However,  embracing it and studying the way many of the natural environments which some of our most popular tropical aquarium fishes hail from really look like, and how they function inspired me to experiment with this stuff.

After a lifetime of fish keeping, I developed an interest in more accurately portraying these unique environments. Not from the "biotope aquarium contest" appearance accuracy standpoint- but from a more realistically functional one.

I began wondering why these types of tanks were seen in the hobby as a "novelty"; why every "blackwater biotope" tank shown on the forums was greeted with both accolades for being different, and polite, but reserved discussion about the aesthetics being a bit "odd."

"Messy." "Dirty." "Dingy."

That became irresistible inspiration for me to experiment! I mean, the "mainstream" aquarium world coveted bright white tanks with crisp lighting, not a speck of algae, and perfectly manicured plants. I appreciated it- still do-but I can't help but smile when I hear people look at a tank like that and applaud it for looking so "natural!"

I knew that there had to be more than this. That meeting nature where it is- appreciating what it really looks like- is "natural."

And beautiful.

And it wasn't just because I was drawn to the look, feel, function, diversity, and dynamic of the leaf litter, blackwater stream environment. It was because I knew, almost instinctively, that this seemingly random, "messy", and sometimes "ephemeral" environmental niche has potential to change the way we keep and breed many fishes. This "New Botanical- style" aquarium is an aesthetic, a research project, and a mindset, all rolled into one.

 

It draws in, repels, appeals, and appalls hobbyists. It makes us question what we've upheld for so long as a representation of nature in an aquarium. 

And I love the fact that it is somewhat "contrarian" to the more conventional aquarium interpretation of a "natural" aquarium. I'm fascinated by the mental adjustments that we need to make to accept the aesthetic, and the processes of natural decay, transition, and how these processes affect what's occurring in the aquarium environment.

I love the fact that it needs to be managed; it's not a static, "set-and-forget-", aquascaping-contest-type of aquarium. It's every bit as dynamic as a "traditional" high-tech, "Nature-style" planted aquarium. You need to monitor, observe, react, tweak, etc. Bioload, pH, and other environmental parameters dance together to make it work...just like any other aquarium.

If done in a haphazard, careless  fashion, without an eye towards long-term functionality, an aquarium set up in the "New Botanical-style"gradually falls away into a sort of...mess.

However, I've learned what many of you have over your fish keeping careers: The occasional "mess" is- or often leads to -something beautiful, permanent, and utterly engrossing. So the term "mess", as we might commonly use it, should not be viewed as negative. It's more of a "transition", IMHO!

"Mess" is actually a vehicle to propel us in different aquascaping/experimental directions. It actually is the embodiment of Amano's wabi-sabi philosophy, which embraces the transience of nature- and celebrates it. It appreciates and understands the beauty in the ephemeral aspects of nature.

It requires some study, appreciation, and yes- mental adjustments.

And making those mental adjustments along the way is a healthy, normal part of the art of aquarium keeping. Since we've started Tannin, many hobbyists have shared their cool aquatic displays, breeding projects, and aquascaping concepts with us.

We love that!

Some are traditional concepts with a few new twists (awesome planted tanks, or more natural-looking Apisto biotopes), some are the embodiment of ideas we don't see enough of (like ripariums, vivariums, and paludariums). Still others are experimental, off-the-wall concepts that inspire, educate, and delight.

I love that the real possibility of making a "mess" exists at every turn when we as hobbyists try something new and different. As we've talked about previously, a "mess" in this sense, although occasionally tragic, usually just means that the original idea didn't work as conceptualized; that further enhancement, modification, and iteration is required.

It got a bit "messy."

And that's okay. It's part of the game. It's how nature teaches us. And what nature teaches us is, in my opinion, every bit as valuable- if not more so- than the latest aquascape contest winner who's diorama 'scape is all the rage on the forums.

Nature plays by her own rules, developed over eons. When we accept here rule, embrace her aesthetics...and make a mental shift to something that the rest of the world might call messy- we can truly appreciate it's real beauty.

It's okay to accept a little "mess" sometimes. It can lead to something beautiful.

Today's simple, but important-to-grasp idea.

Stay excited. Stay innovative. Stay rebellious. Stay open to the process. Stay skeptical. Stay original...

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Morning Botanical Dossier: Clear water, diversity, and tragedy...the allure and lessons of the Rio Xingu.

As much as we love the reply titled blackwater habitats of Asia, Amazonia, Africa, and elsewhere, there are many, many more aquatic habitats which feature a variety of botanical and other materials and create lots of opportunities for us to create amazing aquariums! 

Many of the fishes we love so much come from so-called 'clear water" habitats; that is, ecosystems in which the water is not darkly-stained by dissolved tannins and tunic substances. Rivers like the Tapajos and the the subject of today's microblog, the Rio Xingu, which originate to the north and southeast of the Amazon lowlands, where little erosion occurs, carry a small amount of sediments and undissolved materials.

These waters are lightly acidic, making the replication of their characteristics for aquariums rather easy and accessible for many hobbyists who are perhaps not as enamored of the highly acidic, deeply tinted blackwaters we talk about so much here! Adding to the allure is the fact that the Xingu has many interesting and popular fish species which we are already playing with, and it makes attempting to replicate this habitat far more interesting! 

The Xingu is actually slightly "greenish" in color, largely from resident phytoplankton blooms, and has a ph ranging from 4.5-7.8...that's quite a wide range, huh? During the flood season of November to April, the water depth in the Xingu can fluctuate up to 5 meters! The water levels usually hit their peak between March and April, and the river often has an almost "lake-like" appearance because of it's width and lack of significant sedimentation. The Xingu is not particularly "nutrient rich", except maybe near its headwaters, where a significant diversity of aquatic vegetation and other life forms are found. It accounts for almost 5% of the water in the Amazon region.

 

So, yeah, if you're into plants, like some botanicals, and have an interest in fishes from this region...this could be a cool area to replicate, huh?

When I last researched it, the fish fauna of the Xingu is around 140-odd species, with around 50% being characoids (Yay!), and the remaining significant percentage being comprised of cichlids and Loricariids. 

The Xingu has been under siege, so to speak, from mankind for over 40 years, with the much-hated Belo Monte Dam, which has caused significant ecological damage to the region, much to the chagrin of scientists, ecologists, the residents of the region, and just about everyone else who shares a love for the aquatic environment.

Although we're not going to discuss this issue in this piece, as plenty is written elsewhere, I'd be remiss if I didn't bring this up as a challenge to the existence of this priceless ecosystem. All aquarists with more than a passing interest in the environments from where their fishes come from should familiarize themselves with this story. It's a true disaster of epic proportions, and should serve as a model for generations to come of how mankind's greed and short-sidedness can result in disastrous consequences for the environment.

 

(Hypancistrus zebra- Image by Birger A Used under CC BY-SA 3.0)

Without simply shrugging this off, we can certainly learn more about what this habitat was like before man interfered with its very existence, and perhaps contemplate replicating some of the less-affected locales in the Xingu...perhaps as an homage to what was.

Unlike the soil and leaf-litter-dominated underwater topography of many Amazonian systems, the Xingu is, in most areas, covered with a wide assortment of rocks of various sizes over its soft, claylike substrate. What implications for the biotope-loving aquarist are there in this habitat?

The rocky areas are home to a wide variety of fishes, such as the much-loved Plecos, as well as numerous characins, Apisotgramma, and other species of catfishes!

Today's quick hit is really based more on a number of questions I've received from hobbyists asking about what botanical materials that I'd recommend using in an aquarium representing fishes from this region. Now, obviously there are many materials to choose from.

Personally, I'd stick with some of the "staples"- leaves; specifically, more "durable" ones, like Jackfruit, Artocarpus, and perhaps Mangrove. Now, all of these will provide some "tint", but not to the extent of say, Catappa or even guava.

And on the botanical material side, I'm inclined to recommend stuff like Fishtail Palm Stems, "Lampada Pods", Coconut Palm Stems; stuff that doesn't impart too much tint into the water.

More than anything else, I'd take some time to really look at the specific region of the Xingu I was interested in replicating before you get going. There is a ton of information out there! 

This is a very quick, very broad "dossier," just to get you started, on some interesting facts about this unique river- a river which needs attention not only for its fascinating diversity, but for its vulnerability and the danger it faces from man. The unique and varied habitats of this river are well worthy of replication in our aquaria! Do some research on this river- you'll find tons of research out there. 

Let's learn more about and replicate the habitats of this beautiful river- before it's too late.

Stay curious. Stay creative. Stay engaged. Stay excited...

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

 

 

 

 

A confluence of environments...A wellspring of aquarium ideas!

From our earliest days experimenting with botanicals in aquariums, we recognized and, indeed- celebrated- the intersection in nature where land and water meet. I  always found this intersection to be almost "foundational" the work we do in the blackwater/brackish, botanical-style aquarium "genre", because there is something extraordinarily compelling about the ecological realtionship between terrestrial and aquatic habitats...

Oh, and it looks really cool!

Now, more than ever, I'd love to see us as a community start embracing this concept in aquariums. Not just in creating paludariums- displays that encompass both water and land- but in the way we incorporate the botanicals and wood- terrestrial materials- into our aquascapes.

Since we launched "Estuary",  our brackish-water line of natural materials, we've seen more and more interest in the mangrove habitats, which encompass both the aquatic and terrestrial component. You see the complex mangrove prop roots establishing themselves in both the mud and soil of the areas where land and tidal influence merge.

I'm equally fascinated by Asian and Amazonian streams and marginal areas, specifically the areas where land meets the water.  You know, the flooded forests, streams, and other areas where soils and terrestrial plants/leaves, and beaches accumulate. Areas where fishes will migrate into seasonally, following the food and exploiting the physical structures offered by these now-submerged materials for protection, feeding, and spawning locations.

And of course, we can replicate these unique habitats in our aquariums. It's kind of what we've been working with for a while. However, it's really important to think about how these habitats change when they become inundated- and how to create an aquatic display that reflects the evolution from land to water.

Okay, so ripariums...or paludariums...can do this. 

However, I'm thinking that our work would reflect greater emphasis on the aquariums; the aquatic component...not necessarily 50/50 land to water, ya know? I mean, we're fish geeks, right? Would that simply be a "lower water level aquarium display?" Whatever. You can call it what you want to, but the idea of replicating shorelines is compelling to me. And perhaps, building our aquariums as a "rainforest floor" FIRST- then "inundating" it with water; a very good representation of what occurs in nature, right?

This is what frog and her enthusiasts do. And as we've discussed many times before- the idea really would work well for us, as we specialize in studying Gand recreating these amazing interactions. Why is this so important; so influential to us?

Why should we obsess ourselves with them? 

Well, first off, consider the fact that the soils and plants of the terrestrial environment have a direct and significant impact on the aquatic environment. Consider the igarape and igapo habitats- essentially flooded forest floors. Nutrients from the soils, and the materials which accumulate there- become an important component of the now aquatic habitat.

The plants which grow along the waterline in these habitats provide shade, protection from aerial predators, and the occasional fruit or seed pod, which fishes utilize for food, shelter, or foraging. This is something "fundamental" to us as botanical aquarium lovers- the idea that materials from the surrounding forests wind up in the water, benefitting our fishes in so many ways.

And I think it would be really cool to study more about the types of tropical plants which grow in both "dry" and "flooded" conditions. It would really be amazing to utilize them in our displays- an incredible simulation of nature! We've seen some of this already in the hobby; I'd like to see more work along these lines!

These plants could be very important as "functional" components of our aquascapes. Terrestrial insects inhabit these plants and grasses, often falling into the water, providing a food source for many different small fishes. With some of their larvae often having an "aquatic phase", this makes some of these insects a sort of "on-site" supplemental food production source!

Of course, no discussion of this idea would be complete without giving some love to the amazing work that some of our friends in the vivarium world do. Specifically, the use of  tree fern "mats", lichen, Sphagnum and other mosses and such to create a sort of "rainforest" background for their work. These are spectacular, especially when planted with bromeliads, orchids, etc.

What cues can we take from them?

I think utilizing these materials on the "topside"- even in "almost full" aquariums, would really reinforce the water/land relationship and create a dramatic aesthetic. Who has had long-term experience with some of these materials (specifically, the dried lichens and mosses) when partially submerged?

I realize some may gradually (or perhaps, NOT so gradually) break down in an aquatic environment...they will definitely add some sort of "tint" to the water...I know this from playing with them in the past in displays.

When we talk about plants, it certainly doesn't have to be as high concept as what our frog and vivarium friends do in their displays. 

 

I'm thinking that just having some plants like Philodenron, etc. "rooting" in the water, with their extensive root tangles, creates the sort of vibe we're talking about, while providing "functional" benefits of nutrient absorption, etc. for the aquarium.

We could utilize some of the commercially available riparium planters, or simply let them "dangle" in our tanks, to create a cool look.

The idea of using terrestrial soils in aquariums in our substrates is something we've touched on several times. Our planted tank friends have a lot of experience with this. I'd like to see us utilize these soil mixes to accent the "above and below" of our displays.

Combinations of these materials (contained in various ways) could create an interesting functional AND aesthetic terrestrial component that could influence the water chemistry and ecological diversity of our systems.

Our vivarium friends commonly cultivate organisms such as "Springtails" in their natural displays to provide supplemental food sources for their frogs and other animals living in their enclosures. We can take some cues here, and "inoculate" our "land/water matrix" with some insects, such as wingless fruitlfiles, worms, etc. to create an "onsite" supplemental food source.

Of course, we could use a refugium inline -as has been done for decades in reef aquariums- to accomplish this as well. However, for the purposes of this discussion, the idea of using a "terrestrial" component in our systems is kind of cool, IMHO! 

I mean, some of you may not like the look of creepy, crawly insects around your aquarium (and your "significant other" may not, either!), so the "out of site" refugium may be a better call for many of us! Yet, conceptually, incorporating living food resources into our aquariums is a very interesting step. 

Replicating the interaction of the land and water in a display is by no means "revolutionary" or "new." However, the idea of doing this in a "full" or "near full" aquarium is a little twist on the paludarium theme, and creates some new challenges AND benefits for the aquarist. New avenues to explore.

We'll have to think about how to contain soils, mosses, etc. in a relatively "full" display, and to mentally "shift" to understand and appreciate that the absolute interaction between both environments is part of the game. It's a direct cue from nature, and something which is just begging for us to understand and replicate in our aquariums! 

The opportunity here is not only to create a realistic, compelling display- it's to further unlock some of the secrets of nature and study the interactions between land and water.  It's about incorporating function into our displays, and appreciating the aesthetics which accompany it!

What cool ideas about terrestrial habitats have you thought of, and how would you incorporate some of them into your display?

The discussion- and discovery- begins now!

Stay inspired. Stay curious. Stay studious. Stay innovative. Stay adventurous... 

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

Guest Blog: Hydrography and the soft BWBS aquarium by Ian Davis

Editors's Note: If there is one thing that I find fascinating about the world of blackwater, botanical-style aquariums, it's that you never stop learning. You never stop questioning...and with our crowd, you never stop applying what you've learned! One of my fave "BWBS" aquarium philosophers is Ian Davis. He has a keen understanding of the challenges, practices, and joys of these unique aquariums. 

We often talk about the use of "soft, acid water", or water of "little to no carbonate hardness" in the context of our work. It sounds all well and good- but what exactly do we mean? In this guest blog, Ian provides a very nice writeup on the ins-and-outs soft water, and how it applies to our work! We think you'll enjoy his concise, informative style and great information! 

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My Botanical Romance: Four Botanicals I just can't live without...

Let's face it- even after all of these years of playing with botanicals, there are some that I'm simply more in love with more than others. And of course, in the course of my hobby and my work, I see a lot of 'em. Yet, I keep migrating back to a select few favorites that find their way into my tanks again and again for some reason. And, you'll notice that they tend to end up in a lot of your "Enigma Packs" and our variety packs as well.

And everyone seems to ask me what my faves are- so why not share a few, right?

Now, I realize that pretty much any time I highlight a botanical in "The Tint", the accusation can be made that I am sort of "selling" stuff. Well, I can't fight that; even though the idea is to simply highlight stuff I like, they sort of "sell" themselves, lol. Each one has its own merits. It's own unique aesthetics and utility. I just sort of romance them, really.

The botanical-style aquarium movement in general is growing! It's quite exciting. And, judging by the "work" of a couple of the outright rip-off copycat botanical vendors ("Rant much, Scott?") who've cropped up lately (yes, I've been watching you trying to rip off our brand aesthetics, and even our descriptions/prep information-it's laughable...and in some cases, of dubious legality-be very careful), I realize that there is plenty of interest out there!  (Damn, did I just call out some poseurs? Yup. Yes I did. And you know who you are. And yeah, that was kind of ugly...). I mean, I love it..I just hate people who try to copy the way we do stuff. Be original.  There's room for individuality here. You're better than just copying us..I think.

Yeah, okay...so- ugly side rant completed- back to the topic at hand! Here are a few of my personal faves that I hope will become some of yours!

 

Texas Live Oak Leaves- There is something amazing about these leaves. Now, I'll be the first to tell you that when our friend Cory Hopkins told me about 'em, I was shockingly indifferent. I mean, you see oak leaves of all sorts used in tanks worldwide, and they look like...oak leaves. Multi-lobed, large, pronged, crinkled...just not "tropical-looking", IMHO. Yeah, they look like- well, Oak leaves. And they suck. They look stupid in a tropical tank. I cringe when I see them in a tropical tank (sorry, being honest here)!

However, when I saw the ones Cory was raving about- ones he collects in his home state of Texas...I suddenly realized why these are so cool: They look decidedly "generic-tropical", are small in size, and produce copious amounts of tannins.

I believe the species we offer to be Quercus virginiana, known to botanists as - wait for it- the "Live Oak." And frankly, whatever you choose to call it, we find this to be one of the best leaves we've ever used in our blackwater, botanical-style aquariums- period- right on par with Catappa, Guava, and the like.

They're perfect to use alone or in conjunction with other smaller leaves. Great for nano tanks, or where you need to keep the "scale" small. We prep them by boiling them in water and letting them sit overnight...This generally sends them straight to the bottom. And, lest you be concerned about losing precious tannins through the boiling and soaking process...you won't. These guys seem to put out nice tint-producing tannins for weeks and weeks. Oh, and they last for like months underwater!

 

Mangrove Leaves- Now, this is another one of those leaves that has been "MIA" I the hobby for as long as hobbyists have been using leaves in the aquarium. I'm not sure what we've not been using them for decades...The only reason I can imagine is that there has been a certain "concern" about them being from mangrove trees, which are typically found in brackish-water habitats, and fears abound that they will somehow leach salt out into your tank. (Oh, that and the fact that my overseas suppliers never gave 'em much though until I bothered the hell out of them about these leaves...)

Now, it is a fact that salt is exuded by some species of mangroves via the leaves. However, once the leaves are naturally fallen and dried, there is no detectable salt in them. And when you boil/soak them as recommended for pretty much any leaves, there is none whatsoever. I've experimented many times by simply throwing a bunch of mangrove leaves into a jar of RO/DI water, letting them soak for a few days, and checking the specific gravity with a digital refractometer. The number 1.000 keeps coming up...pure fresh water. So leave those worries at the door, folks. You won't "taint" your soft, acidic blackwater tanks with salt by using these leaves in your litter bed.

And one of the really cool things about these leaves (besides their look, tannin-producing capabilities, and invigorating scent) is that they break down moderately fast, and are utilized by a surprisingly large number of organisms, like snails, crabs, shrimp, fishes as a supplemental "grazing substrate" and direct feed. They make an amazing botanical "mulch" when decomposed, too! One of the things that makes mangrove habitats so productive is the utilization of mangrove leaf litter by the resident flora and fauna. It's the same in the aquarium. They are superb for fresh and (of course) brackish tanks...and I believe the marine aquarium, as well. We will see more of them in marine tanks in the near future, I promise! 

 

Fishtail Palm Stems- Well, let's just face it...the idea of using anything palm-derived in a tropical aquarium is just cool, IMHO! Palms are found in pretty much every tropical habitat which we care to replicate in the aquarium, making parts of them remarkably appropriate as an aquascaping "prop!" This interesting little "stems" are actually the inflorescence of the Caryota mitis palm from Southeast Asia and India (where our suppliers collect them for us), and range from around 4" to 8" or so in length. Their delicate, almost "bonelike" appearance makes them perfect as little accent botanicals in your aquarium. 

Like just about anything from a dried terrestrial plant that you toss into water, there might be a slight leaching of a tiny amount of tannins from these. More likely, however, the primary benefit of them is their aesthetics. They look cool. And when they decompose over time under water, they sort of crumble away, and just look pretty cool in the substrate. Although found in Southeast Asia and India, these unique botanicals are a perfect generic "stand in" for pretty much any tropical palm you might encounter, so utilizing them in a botanical-style aquarium is a "no-brainer", IMHO.

From a preparation standpoint, a few minutes of boiling and maybe an extended soak should be enough to send them straight to the bottom, where they provide a very interesting aesthetic and are a perfect compliment to leaves and other botanicals for a great overall look on your substrate!

 

Catappa Bark- It's almost impossible for me to discuss botanicals without mentioning catappa bark. I LOVE this stuff! If you've been following the goings-on here at Tannin Aquatics over the last few years, you've seen us consistently offer a variety of bark and bark-related products. Part of the reason (besides the desire to offer you the widest selection of natural materials for botanical-style, blackwater aquariums) is because we feel that bark is an excellent vehicle for imparting tint-producing tannins (and their associated humic substances) into your aquarium water.

As a source of tannins, bark is significant. Tannins are naturally occurring plant polyphenols, and are ubiquitous in trees worldwide, in the leaves, roots, branches, and of course, the bark. Bark functions as a protective barrier for trees, and it provides a thick, waterproof covering to the living inner tissue. It protects the trunk against the elements, disease, animal attack and fire. Tannin is typically concentrated in the inner bark (known as the "cambium layer") of trees. According to botanists, older trees have bark which contains  more tannins than a younger tree, and, consequently, the lower parts of a tree contain a higher concentration than the top parts.

Bark not only is functional, but it provides a very cool aesthetic touch that really represents nature in a realistic way. As we've talked about endlessly here over the years, branches, logs, and (by extension) tree bark and such combine with leaves and seed pods in natural waterways of the world, providing shelter, supplemental food, and environmental enrichment for fishes...and they do the same in the aquarium!

If you're looking for a real "hack" for blackwater tanks- and there are scant few in this game- using pieces of catappa bark in your 'scape provides just that. A really cool-looking "prop" and a functional botanical that can help tint the water and impart lots of tannins and humic substances in the process. A simple "boil/soak" as outlined in our ever-evolving "Aquatic Botanical Preparation" section is the way to go here!

Well, that's a little summary of four of my fave botanicals. And the nice thing about botanicals in general, is that they don't last forever. Ultimately, after some period of time, most of the leaves, seed pods, and other botanical materials we use will be reduced to little bits and pieces. You can either remove them from your tank (if you find them unsightly), or leave them in place to completely break down (we do). It's your call. 

And then, you can try different ones! And maybe, just maybe...find some NEW faves of your own!

I hope that you do.

In the mean time...

Stay inspired. Stay adventurous. Stay creative. Stay original (who's THAT targeted to?). Stay engaged...

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

 

The "big rush" to "finished?"

Have you ever thought about the "game plan" of creating an aquarium? I mean; like what's the goal? TO create an evolving habitat? Spawn some special fishes? How do you get there? Or, is there even a "there?" And does it really matter how quickly you get "there?"

The other day I was perusing a hobby forum post (yeah, I do that still!) from a guy who had recently switched over his lighting to LED's, and was sharing pics and some comments about his results. The plants looked beautiful, and obviously were healthy, colorful, and growing. And this was a guy that was a hardcore T5 user for many years (man, I made that sound like he was on heroin or something, huh?), and decided to make a big switchover on his "high tech planted tank" (lol that term makes me laugh, don't know why) to LEDs.

Among the many questions he fielded from fellow hobbyists were numerous, repeated inquiries about how fast his plants would grew under the LEDs. There was worry that his plant growth would slow dramatically. Speed was the constant here...

I mean, I suppose it's a fair question, right? I remember from my coral propagation days, , in addition to color and health, we are all about growing corals as quickly as possible, so we can bring them to market in a relatively short period of time.

However, in the instance above, these were hobbyist inquiries, and I wondered why "quick" growth was so important? Back to the reef analogy- In my personal reefs or tanks with aquatic plants, sure, I want to see growth, but the main goal is color, morphology, long-term health, then growth. Yeah, when you're starting with a bunch of tiny plant cuttings or coral frags, I can understand that you'd want to see it fill in fairly quickly.

However, I really want to see the thing look nice, too. 

Long term.

I was wondering if it had to do with some inherent impatience that we have as aquarists- or perhaps as humans in general-a desire to see the "finished product" as soon as possible; something like that. And there is nothing at all wrong with that, I suppose. I just kind of wonder what the big rush is? I guess, when we view an aquarium in the same context as a home improvement project, meal preparation, or algebra test, I can see how rapid growth would take on a greater significance!

On the other hand, if you look at an aquarium as you would a garden- an organic, living, evolving, growing entity- then the need to see the thing "finished" becomes much less important. Suddenly, much like a "road trip", the destination becomes less important than the journey. It's about the experiences gleaned along the way. Enjoyment of the developments, the process. In the botanical-style aquarium, it's truly about a dynamic and ever-changing system. Every stage holds fascination. 

IS there even a "finish line" to an aquarium? 

Which brought me into one of my philosophical ponderings. I mean, to most aquatic hobbyists, what's more important? Rapid growth, a "finished" appearance, or some other factor? And why? I suppose if I ask 100 hobbyists, I'll receive 100 different answers, but I am really curious about the prevailing attitudes among fellow hobbyists.

And, to add to the equation, there is the simple, but inescapable fact that an aquarium can be a real PAIN sometimes- challenging us and testing our skills, patience, commitment, desire, and oh- yeah- our finances! It's never as easy as just starting up a reef aquarium/blackwater aquarium/planted tank,  doing "A-B-C-D" and simply ending up with this killer system as a matter of course. There are all sorts of challenging twists and turns along the way. Nature follows its own paths; its own "whims', if you will.

Besides, what fun would it be anyways if that's all that there was to it, right?

So, to get back to my original question: What do you feel is more important with your aquatic plants, fishes, and corals- Fast growth, or great looking specimens-¦or some combination of both? And why? I pose the question again that I posed above: Is an aquarium ever really "done?" Is there some point of finality when you just say, "Okay, I don't want to change anything, add anything, take out anything?" Is this even possible? Would you want that?

We start with leaves and botanicals; let them do their own thing...Nature takes over; but there really is never a "finished" state, IMHO.

Part of the pleasure is working with nature; being challenged by her.. adjusting  I mean, when there is nothing more to do but change water, tweak a few gadgets, and feed, is it still an enjoyable hobby? Is THAT a hobby in and of itself? Further, have you EVER gotten a tank to that stage? Where you're simply observing it and nothing else? What's it like?

Sure, the reality is that an aquatic display is not a static entity, and will continue to encompass life, death, and everything in between for as long as it's in existence. Yet, what is it that really happens in a truly "mature" aquarium?

There might be some competition between fishes, plants, or corals that results in one or more species dominating all of the rest- or does diversity continue to win, with lots of different life forms eeking out an existence in your artificial microcosm, just as they have managed to do for eons in nature?

Heavy duty questions, huh? But interesting ones, nonetheless, aren’t they?

Your thoughts? Discuss, please.

Until next time,

Stay focused. Stay determined. Stay patient. Stay purposeful. Stay engaged.

And Stay Wet

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics 

For those drifting in the current...

Periodically, I find it useful to evaluate my hobby experience...where I've been, where I want to go. It's especially important as someone who has elected to dedicate a good portion of his life to the business of sharing the hobby and lifestyle with fellow enthusiasts worldwide. It's a very satisfying life, as many who work in this field will tell you- but there are usually moments when you stray a bit...get lost, perhaps- and drift in the current (metaphorically, at least!) for a while.

I know, this isn't a blog post on "How to select an aquarium heater" or "The top 3 cichlids for your community tank" -you can read that stuff on any old hobby blog. Nope- today's piece is a bit personal...it's something that, although not discussed in hobby writings, I think many of you can relate to. It's about business, passion...life. It's about us.

People often ask me how I have such a total enthusiasm for what I do.

How I can be "on" all the time? 

And it made me reflect. 

And as always, there are experiences and conversations to recall...

I wasn't always like this.

A few weeks back, I was talking with a friend- a fellow aquarium industry person- who was lamenting about how "burned out" he was; how "disconnected" he felt from the hobby...He was very "numb" to the whole wonder of being a fish geek. He had been sort of "going through the motions", and that was about it. Like, he lost the spark, or whatever that made it all work for him.  

It was affecting both him and his business.

It was actually obvious. I felt bad for him. And I think part of the reason was because I had been there before, myself!

We had a little discussion about his "burnout", and it made me pause and reflect on my own experience with this same phenomenon not too many years back...

A little background:

Without boring you with every detail of my background, I'll summarize by telling you (as if most of you may not know by now) that I was/am(?) actually rather well-known in the reef aquarium world before I started Tannin Aquatics...Oh, that sounded a bit arrogant, huh?

Might have.

Wasn't the intention, trust me, but it will give you some context...

My point is, I'm not all that well-known as a "freshwater" writer or "personality", if you will. However, in the marine aquarium world, My name is pretty well known, and I've been pretty hard to miss over the past decade or so. I was everywhere. Spoken at tons of conferences, authored a lot of stuff, etc. I have traveled around the nation and the world on a monthly basis, speaking to clubs and conferences. I was a co-owner of Unique Corals, which became one of the reef world's most respected retail reef livestock vendors/coral propagators/importers. 

I'm a lifetime fish geek. It is what I was born to be. I had my first legit aquarium at age 4- no joke. And it's just mushroomed from there. It wasn't just because I wanted to be  into the hobby- I was destined for it, lol.

However, there was brief period of time a few years ago when I was very peripherally involved in the aquarium hobby on a personal level...That is, actually keeping tanks of my own to any serious extent!  It had been only a few years, and that was too many. Oh sure, I "kept" tanks and stuff- our facility at UC was like 18,000 gallons of saltwater! I was around fish and corals and water like 12 hours every day.

But that doesn't really count, does it?

I mean, it might...but it's different when it's your own hobby tanks, right?

During that time, as I slowly formulated the idea for Tannin, and played with more and more ideas for blackwater aquariums, I tested every product we offer at Tannin in my own freshwater tanks...Came up with ideas...sourced products. Took a "deep dive" into the world of blackwater/botanical-style aquariums..But the sad reality is that I felt oddly "disconnected" from the actual hobby.

Everything was "business."

It seemed as though my hobby was more about shaking hands, giving talks, and accumulating frequent flyer miles, hotel stays, and seat upgrades on speaking trips than it was about accumulating relatable hobby experiences.

I was a "clinical" aquarist.

Fortunately, a couple of good friends noticed this, and literally coerced me into getting back into the game on a personal level...and when I took their cues, everything changed. In the past few years, I've never been happier, "aquatically!" All it took was just setting up some tanks for ME. Not as business "proof of concept" experiments. Not for the purpose of sharing them on social media to move products...Just for fun.

Who would have thought it would take the "intervention" of friends to make me enjoy the hobby again? 

But it did.

And I won't question it, either!

It's applicable, of course, to ANY aquatic field of endeavor within the hobby. Or any passion of yours which has become a business. This is a story of a personal journey... almost "confessional" in a way, and was a very therapeutic piece to write! 

I digress again...

I made a (for me) the wonderful and long-overdue transition back from “clinical” aquarist to “practicing” aquarist once again, and it’s felt incredible. It ushered in an amazing period in my aquarium "career."

Let me explain...

As I mentioned above, I found myself slipping into the role of what I call “clinical” aquarist.

What do I mean by “clinical?”

Well, there are a lot of people in my position, like, way more than you'd imagine- owning and building hobby-related businesses, perhaps writing, speaking, and “living the fish geek life” like I do, who don’t even have a tank that they maintain everyday strictly for pleasure; who perhaps ply their stock in trade in the aquarium world for years without maintaining an active personal aquarium. Yes, they’re in touch with the hobby, and the animals, and the gear…but they’re not in “the final few inches” of what is really happening.

Clinical.

I’m not saying that this is bad. I'm not saying that having a personal tank is a mandatory prerequisite for success or anything.  I’m just identifying what was a problem for me- and for a few other people I know.

Where it can get bad is when you find yourself regurgitating stuff from a long time ago- perhaps stuff that is perhaps even woefully outdated or anecdotal- when rendering advice to others; or perhaps you are staying current on the latest and greatest and "preaching" it without actually practicing it…THAT is an ultimate sin in the aquarium world, IMHO. There’s lots of that percolating around the hobby, more than you'd think-and it's obvious especially when you find yourself “in the know”, speaking and traveling around hobby-related conferences and events. 

Eeeww...

Darker still, there is an even smaller fraction of people (thankfully), who spend much time criticizing others in the hobby and industry, slinging negative publicity for practices/products/people they don’t “approve” of, and generally rallying their buddies to give them a social media “pat on the back” while they spew forth their vitriol with unabashed nastiness…all while not even being a “practicing” aquarist. 

Angry folks.

Yikes.

Yeah, there are a bunch of people who are just like that, and it’s sad.

It’s sad, because they don’t experience the real pleasure of actually keeping an aquarium. It’s sad because they are so myopic in their focus that they can’t get past themselves, their self-appointed grandeur, and the adulation of their small “rooting section” who heap on the “attaboys” whenever they pop up on social media discussions, etc. 

They don’t get it. At all.

It’s also sad, because some of these people are immensely intelligent, focused, and dare we say, experts about certain things, yet they can’t get beyond their negativity and disdain for others who they feel have “violated” the sanctity of “their” fields of expertise. Rather than sharing something useful, they choose to simply...criticize. 

I ran into some of these people for a bit when I started Tannin. It was surprisingly strong- the vitriol from the hobby's dark corners...

Rather than disseminating their immense knowledge in a useful and helpful way for hobbyists, these people find it far easier to thrive in a sea of negativity, attempt to diminish others, and thrive off of the virtual pats on the back from their small, yet vocal groups of friends, none of who have the courage to stand up on their own and let their individual voices be heard, lest they suffer the “wrath” of their demigods.

Totally sad.  And not a place you want to be. That's a different variation on this theme of "clinical", but it's shockingly not that uncommon in the aquarium world. You might have encountered these types before.

Oh, back to my story (lol)... 

So I realized that I was drifting into that larger, yet equally distasteful (to me) category of “clinical” aquarist, who, although I co-operated an epic coral facility/online business and was "semi hands-on” with the animals, equipment, and practices on a daily basis, found myself without a home aquarium of any significance, and felt oddly “detached” from the “real world” of the hobby.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a hermit. I talked to hobbyists everyday, went to conferences, immersed myself in it all; yet, rather than relating to them in a manner based on “Yeah, I’m going though that algae bloom, too!”, I was falling back on my experiences of the past (“Yeah, I had an algae bloom like that back in 2010..er, 2009- maybe 2007? Anyways, it sucked…”). 

It felt, well...yucky. (perfect word for it.)

And I realized the scary fact that I was becoming one of "those" people...and I didn't like it. At all.

Even though, on the surface, I was right there. Surrounded by fish, fish geeks...aquariums. 

I'd spoken or presented at all of the major reef aquarium conferences...9 MACNAs, several Reefapaloozas, Reefstock, IMAC, and dozens and dozens of clubs and smaller conferences around the world. I’d guest blogged on all of the major reef aquarium sites- Reef Builders, Reef2Reef, etc., been published in hobby online and print magazines- all that stuff. My daily “rants” and blogs were "syndicated" and read by thousands of hobbyists around the world…I’ve been told over the years that I’m the “morning coffee”- the “cold pizza”- for a lot of fish geeks to start their days.

It was quite satisfying to a great extent. It was pretty cool (still is) to have the honor of your attention...It's an amazing connection to experience.

Yet something- I was never able to quite get a finger on what it was at the time- was missing.

That was sad. And oddly unsatisfying….I mean, all of this cool stuff, friendships, etc. and the very reason for it all was not in my life:

Being an active hobbyist on a practicing, personal level.

We built this amazing company at Unique, which dealt intimately with the art and science of the reef keeping hobby, and yet, I feel like somewhere along the way, I actually forgot how cool it is to be a real hobbyist. I don’t know if it was the personal trauma I experienced when my father passed away, or the life changes I went through, or just spending 24/7/365 hyper-focused at building up Unique Corals, and then creating Tannin Aquatics…

Don’t know. But it doesn’t matter now. 

What mattered then is that I knew that I wanted to be myself again. A hobbyist of the geekiest type. With wet hands, towels everywhere...stuff like that. Preaching the practice and lifestyle of a fish geek makes that sort of stuff mandatory. 

And that’s why I decided, as one of my friends eloquently put it, to “come home” and become a “practicing aquarist” yet again…and I’ve never enjoyed it more.

It never meant more to me to come home to the sounds of an aquarium.

To worry about how my tanks will do when I go out of town. To deal with the weekly water changes, frozen food in the fridge....spilling on the new hardwood floors...Since my "re-awakening" a few years ago, I’ve started multiple new aquarium systems, and have enjoyed the process in a way I never did previously..It brought back the familiar, yet seemingly "atrophied" feelings of excitement, anticipation, engagement, frustration, responsibility, and true camaraderie that you encounter when playing with fish tanks and sharing experiences with your friends.

As someone who likes to write, every day provided new topics and ideas about things to share, question, laugh at myself, discuss…So I kept at it. After a very short time, I felt like part of the community again.

And we've evolved an amazing community around Tannin, and (more important) around the larger blackwater, botanical-style aquarium concept.

That’s really good. 

And I feel a bit more, I don’t know- mature, perhaps?

Like someone who’s "lived" a bit, and can take those experiences and apply them to his everyday aquarium practices.

It’s super empowering. It’s not like I was “away”- but it sort of felt like I was “on the outside”, watching others enjoy this amazing thing that I could only sort of longingly stare at through the dirty window. It’s definitely made me a better industry person, too! Relating even better to my customers- my fellow fish geeks- and the people whose I address at conferences and club meetings.

You people- who really matter the most.

I remember many days at Unique, when hobbyists would call or visit, giddy with excitement about receiving that cool Acropora frag or exotic new reef fish, and we’d talk about it…And they’d ask questions, and I’d answer them and discuss their issues, feeling just a little twinge of…I dunno- jealousy, perhaps- that they were enjoying this amazing little thing that I just sort of took for granted.

And it just kind of built from there..the need to "get back over the fence. "

I actually feel like apologizing a bit for not feeling it for too long.

Working daily with some incredible guys at Unique Corals, who practice geeked-out reef keeping at its highest level- just kept the fire burning. It may have been just sort of "smoking embers"- but it was there. Just waiting for a metaphorical spark.

One of my friends, Jake Adams from Reef Builders, must have just known- sensed it…He would always pull me away from my desk to check out some coral, light, crazy project he was working on…or just to cut frags, help move some corals- whatever- just to get me away from the damn computer and get my hands wet.  

Smart.

Another friend would urge me to “go fishing” at the wholesalers here in Los Angeles with him..to just geek out on the cool fishes and corals. Little "interventions", to pull me away from the spreadsheets and order forms and such, if you will.

And it worked. It was like waking up out of a coma…

I learned that you CAN come home again- I learned that sometimes, you have this wonderful thing right in front of your eyes- and you just need to appreciate and enjoy it for what it is…this hobby, this culture- this WORLD that we have is amazing, precious…and beautiful. I would walk my coral grow-out raceways gawking at the corals, thinking exactly what other hobbyists who visited our facility thought: “Man, I’d love to see that Acro in MY tank!”

That was a few years back...and I haven't ever went back to that lonely place again.

Never will.

During that time of course, my ideas for Tannin started to emerge...The idea blossomed into reality, because I got my hands "wet" again! I became ME again.

Healthy.

Now, when I'm putting together one of your orders, or perhaps helping a new "Tinter" decide on which botanicals to choose for her wild Gourami tank, I feel the sense of excitement, of envy, and camaraderie- but I gaze across the office to one of my tanks...and it's like, "Yeah, I'm right there with you!"

And I think it's enabled us to build an amazing business here at Tannin Aquatics. A business built on the emotions and passions that you can only relate to if you're a genuine, 110%-enaged, fully-committed, practicing aquarium hobbyist!

When you see some of the stuff that's coming from us next...I think you'll understand this even more.

Why am I sharing this personal journey with you?

Well, perhaps it’s a bit "therapeutic" for me…Perhaps it’s a good lesson for those of you who might have "pulled away" from the hobby a bit and feel like you're missing something. Perhaps it’s simply a public affirmation for me about the fact that it's not impossible to come back- and a proclamation about never wanting to stray from the path again.

I offer this to you as less of an explanation of MY hobby journey, and as more of a “life raft” to those of you that, for whatever reason, feel like you’ve strayed away from the hobby that you love so much.

You can do this.

If you know a hobbyist who's drifting away, losing that passion...intervene. It works. This hobby is really hard to get out of your system- trust me! The hobby needs talented, engaged people.

Oh, and my friend?

He just set up a 125-gallon Amazonian biotope tank. It's killer. Oh, and a full on "SPS" reef tank, too.

He's back.

If you’re out there, drifting in the current. Don't give up on the hobby. Just know that it’s never too late to climb back aboard. 

And never more satisfying than now.

Stay involved. Stay enthused. Stay committed. Stay in contact. Stay excited.

And Stay Wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics

Myth vs. Fact: Four Common Topics...

One of the interesting things about the aquarium hobby is that we have an incredible "body of work", with hobbyists worldwide working on stuff that might be absurdly arcane or obscure, in almost every area of hobby practice.

Yet, with all of the specialization, research, and accumulated experience in the hobby, we seem to have a pervasive culture of embracing popular perception, almost without questioning or doing any independent research.

While that may be a rather harsh, seemingly over-generalized statement, the reality is that it's often true. When we first dove into the dark world of blackwater aquariums here at Tannin, we were simply aghast at the incredible amount of unsubstantiated, speculative, and unverified "information" out there in the hobby literature and online media.

There were rampant assumptions, and the passing on of many ideas without any personal experience with the subject. Some were simply wrong. Others had some conditional validity to them, but were overly-genrlaized in nature. It was actually almost humorous, although the fact that it may have discouraged so many hobbyists from even attempting to keep this type of system was kind of sad, and showed the power and danger of the process of "regurgitation" in the hobby.

It's only through continuous, methodical, skeptical, and diligent work on these types of tanks that we've been able to break through and start pushing back with actual personal experience against some of the less helpful and more pervasive "myths" that are so prevalent in this sector. 

Let's look at four of the most pervasive and long-running myths that, in my opinion, have contributed to much of the hesitancy that many hobbyists may have had over the years about creating and maintaining one of these amazing aquariums for themselves!

 

MYTH: "Blackwater" is another name for "dirty water." 

FACT: Oh, man, if I had a dollar/euro for every time I heard this or read this, I wouldn't be selling dried seed pods and leaves for a living! In the culture of aquarium keeping, there seems to be this perception that water with a color to it is somehow a sign of a dirty, poorly-maintained aquarium. There is a certain "stigma" that we attach to water that isn't blue white and crystal-clear.

Now, the reality is that many of the wild aquatic habitats from which a lot of our fave fishes come from are anything but "crystal clear." As we know now, the influence of factors like soil, and the presence of terrestrial materials like seed pods, leaves, and branches play a huge role in the chemical composition and appearance of the water. It's really no different in the aquarium, right? Tannins from wood and botanical materials will leach into the water, providing the characteristic "tint" that we've become so accustomed to in our little niche.

And that's just fine with us. You can easily have very high water quality (ie; low in nitrates, phosphates, and other substances) and still have a 'tint." In fact, water can be of very high quality and have an almost "patina" of finely dissolving materials in it and still test at high water quality levels. In our type of aquarium, the color is no indication of the quality of the water. Water exchanges, use of chemical filtration media, and good-old common sense will see to that.

 

MYTH: Blackwater, botanical-style aquariums are difficult to control, and you risk a "pH crash" and wildly fluctuating environmental conditions.

FACT: This one is one of those aquarium hobby "myths" which has really taken hold among many. Now, some of this might have a grain of truth to it, but it's really an example of an over-generalized assumption. Simply adding botanical materials to a closed aquarium environment is adding to the bioload of the system, and can certainly have an impact on the water quality if you don't go slowly, observe carefully, and execute standard aquarium husbandry procedures (e.g., water exchanges, use of chemical filtration media, proper stocking, feeding etc.).

The reality, especially in regards to pH, is that the impact of botanicals on pH is often surprisingly limited, in terms of lowering it. Two of the most important factors are the carbonate hardness of the water and the starting pH. If you have hard, alkaline tap water, and are not doing other things to modify it (ie; utilizing reverse osmosis/deionization), you will likely notice minimal impact on the pH. On the other hand, if you're utilizing water with little or no carbonate hardness and a lower starting pH, these materials can have more significant impact. 

The idea of a "crash" is something that has multiple factors involved-including (and there's no nice way to state it) "human error." When you add botanicals to your aquarium- materials which can impact the water quality and the chemistry- it is up to you to go slowly, adding materials in a measured manner...and to test your basic water parameters (pH, alkalinity, nitrite, nitrate, etc.) as you begin the process, and regularly as you work with them. As with any aquarium, botanical-style aquariums are simply not "set-and-forget" systems. They require the same traditional management techniques that are applied to any successful aquarium.

 

MYTH: You can't grow plants in a blackwater aquarium. 

FACT: Now, the reality is that many blackwater habitats are devoid of aquatic plants, or somewhat limited, the fact is there are many species which can be grown under appropriate conditions. Species like Cryptocoryne, Bucephalandra, Polygonum, Didiplis diandra, Mayaca fluviatilis, Isoetes, Eichornia natans Nymphoides sp., and many more. Rather than relying just on aquarium hobby literature, do some research online of scientific studies/surveys of blackwater habitats, and you'll find a surprisingly large amount of useful information! 

The limiting factors in a blackwater aquarium are not surprising: The ability of light to penetrate the water column, and the availability of nutrients for the plants to utilize for growth. These are things that we can really overcome, right? By utilizing more intense light (to overcome the tinted water) and the proper application of nutrients, coupled with an appropriately rich substrate, you'd be surprised how easily you can grow aquatic plants in these types of aquariums. This is an area in which we simply need to do the research, as opposed to accepting the more popular- and frankly, wrong- "popular perception."

 

MYTH: As botanical materials decompose in the aquarium, they degrade the water quality.

FACT: This is another popularly-embraced idea which I can't entirely brush off, because there is some validity to it, and it would be irresponsible of me to dismiss it outright. Let's face it- when you have materials of any type breaking down in the aquarium, they are part of the bioload- and that requires an appropriately-sized population of beneficial bacteria and fungi to break down these materials without adversely affecting water quality. We've written about this idea many, many times here in "The Tint", and talked about the "ecosystem" aspect of working with this type of aquarium quite a bit. 

Now, that being said, it would be utterly irresponsible of us to say that you can simply add stuff to an aquarium- specifically one that has been in a stable existence for some time- and not be concerned about any impact on water quality. That's part of the reason why we plead with you to go slowly when adding these materials to an established tank, and to test and gauge the impact on your water quality.

Going slowly not only allows you time to react- it gives your bacterial and fungal population the opportunity to grow and adjust to the increased bioload. These organisms can go a long way towards creating a stable, healthy botanical aquarium environment...But they can't work miracles- and they can't do it alone. And of course, common sense husbandry procedures, like regular water exchanges, use of chemical filtration media (activated carbon, PolyFilter, etc.) give you an added layer of "insurance." A healthy dose of common sense and judgement goes a long way towards a successful outcome! 

I can't help but reiterate once again that blackwater, botanical-style aquariums are no more difficult to set up and maintain than any other type of aquarium. They do require understanding of what's going on and what is involved, observation, and upkeep...And, if you're not careful about following good common sense procedures, you can occasionally have a bad outcome.  Stuff happens. It's the reality of forging into new territory, but it contributes to the body of knowledge that is the aquarium hobby.

The key takeaway here is to not simply accept everything you read about this type of aquarium (even in our blog!) without giving it a more detailed look yourself, and consulting with those of us who have a lot of personal experience with them. A healthy dose of open-mindedness, coupled with some knowledge and skepticism go a long way towards success! 

Obviously, we can't cover every detail about every misunderstood aspect of the blackwater, botanical-style aquarium in the scope of this blog piece. Those of you who visit our web site frequently know that we literally have hundreds of articles on these topics, many of which comprise a sort of "living document" and demonstrate the evolution of the practices that we use and the experiences that we accumulated with this unique hobby niche. 

We're all contributing to the "state of the art" of botanical-style blackwater aquariums each and every day!

Stay inquisitive. Stay brave. Stay open-minded. Stay diligent. Stay observant...

And Stay wet.

 

Scott Fellman

Tannin Aquatics